Mums take on Mums vs Mountains for Tŷ Hafan hospice

The eight mothers, three of which are from the Vale, all have a child cared for by the much-loved children’s hospice.

They are aiming to conquer Yr Wyddfa, Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen-y-Fan on Sunday, May 7, despite most of them being self-confessed newbies to mountain walking.

What they are old hands at, though, is dealing with the emotional, physical, and practical mountains to climb that come thick and fast when looking after a child with a life-shortening condition.

Bridget Harpwood, whose 12-year-old daughter Elain was born with a complex heart condition and has been supported by Tŷ Hafan since she was a baby, came up with the Mums v Mountains challenge.

Bridget said: “This challenge will be an amazing opportunity to both raise money and for Tŷ Hafan Mums to experience something they may never get the chance to do otherwise.

“I think parent carers are often stereotyped as people whose lives are dominated by their caring responsibilities. Quite often our situations end up being dictated to us by our children and we may not get the opportunities or freedom to do the things that we would like to do.

Mums vs Mountains for Tŷ Hafan

The Mums vs Mountains live in various locations across South and West Wales including Cardiff (Lynsey Harris), Barry (Stacey Carr), Penarth (Helen Jenkins), Llantwit Major (Alex Forbes), Bridgend (Marie Jones and Kat Brown) and Chepstow (Martina Harding) and have become friends thanks to Tŷ Hafan.

They are aiming to raise in excess of £20,000 for the hospice, which they describe as their “absolute lifeline”.

The mums all have children in the care of Tŷ Hafan

The mums are aiming to conquer Yr Wyddfa, Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen-y-Fan on Sunday, May 7

Paula Langston, Head of Community Fundraising for Tŷ Hafan, said: “I am totally in awe of what every mother who is looking after a child with a life-shortening condition deals with every day as it is one of the hardest things a person can do.

“It costs £5.2m a year to provide our care and support services, both in our hospice based in Sully, and in homes and communities across South, West and East Wales and more than 80 per cent comes from the fantastic generosity of the public.

“I hope that as many people as possible will get right behind our Mums v Mountains.”

The women have also gained the backing of Convey Law and the Conveyancing Foundation, lead sponsors for their epic challenge.

In the past ten years Convey Law has raised close to £400,000 for Tŷ Hafan.

Lloyd Davies, managing director of Convey Law said: “These incredible ladies have our full support in what will be a difficult but rewarding challenge. We wish the mums every success in their fundraising endeavours.”

To support the Mums v Mountains for Tŷ Hafan go to their Mums v Mountains JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mumsVmountains?invite=true